1. Co-operative Schools Co ‐ operative College

2. Established 1919 Part of the Co-operative Movement Training members and managers Looking after our heritage International work Research Schools and young people Co-operative College

3. Co-operative schools – International experience Over 600 Co-operative schools in Spain Over 80% of Primary schools in France teach co-operation Over 120 Co-operative schools in Portugal Over 100 co-operative schools in Sweden Over 1,900 school co-operatives in Malaysia Co-operative schools in Africa and South America Schools co-operatives in Poland celebrated their centenary in 2011

4. What’s happening in education? Removal of the central role of the LA in providing education (schools) Financial pressures on schools Rapid growth of academy chains School to school support Alternative to academisation

5. A co-operative alternative Governance rooted in local communities Safeguarding community assets and infrastructure Building from collaboration – working with rather than run by Encouraging and welcoming diversity A template for local adaption not a “one cap fits all” model

6. Key characteristics An ethos based on globally shared values Democratic engagement of key stakeholders – parents/carers, staff, learners and the local community in governance Safeguard the assets for their community Adaptable to a wide range of structural models – trusts, academies A bridge to the global co-operative movement Self help Self responsibility Democracy Equality Equity Solidarity Honesty Openness Social responsibility Caring for others

7. Maintained Primary, Secondary or Special schools Foundation school with a Trust Collaboration with other schools, FE/HE, businesses, charities bring together expertise Preserving good practice – maintain relationships Innovation – from external partners The Trust - Supports The School Appoints some governors – usually a minority Holds land and building ‘on trust’ Helps shape the long term strategic vision and ethos What are Foundation Trust Schools?

8. Identify trust partners, agree the model, agree to consult Consult – then consider responses Publish a statutory notice Consider responses and agree (or otherwise) to become a Foundation School and acquire a trust Get involved in the national network – the Schools Co-operative Society The trust process

9. Co-operative trust model Engages key stakeholder groups through membership Forum/Council provides a vehicle for accountability and high level consultation Membership including: Parents Staff Learners Community Organisations/Individuals Trust Partner 1Partner 2 Partner 4 Partner 3 Forum or Council Governing Body School 1 Governing Body School 2

10. 850 Co-operative trust schools September 2015 6 Co-operative sponsor academies sponsored by the Co-operative Group – in Manchester Stoke on Trent and Leeds plus 1 SCS sponsor academy - in Gloucestershire 35 Co-operative converter academies January 2014 Co-operative schools

11. National network Services to co-operative schools Joint procurement A voice in the policy debate

12. TU Partnerships “We believe that equality, solidarity, democracy and social responsibility are the principles that should underpin our education system and that schools should serve the best interests of children and young people, parents and carers, the workforce and the wider community.”

13. Further information: julie.bowdidge@googlemail.com 07515 257389 www.co-op.ac.uk www.school.coop www.co-operativeschools.coop julie.bowdidge@googlemail.com 07515 257389 www.co-op.ac.uk www.school.coop www.co-operativeschools.coop